Pool-hopping protocol?

[corinnak]

Hello! We are leaving for SSR in mere hours - mere hours!!! - and a major priority for one of my boys is going swimming every day, including the "snake pool" at POFQ. I am wondering if they are going to allow hopping to that pool if the POR pool is closed (advisable to call ahead, I am sure!), but my real question is:

Who do I talk to at the resort and what exactly should I say when we arrive?

Thanks!

P.S. I am bringing the little old laptop, so I'll be sure to check in from SSR. I'll get some photos of the new areas of the resort if I can!

 

[jakenjess]

I'm not sure the answer to your question, but just wanted to say have a wonderful trip! I grew up in a small town called Corinna, and I think of it every time I see your posts! It was named after the founder's daughter, and I always thought it was such a beautiful name.

I'll be looking forward to reading your reports. Have fun!

 

[starbox]

Who do I talk to at the resort and what exactly should I say when we arrive?

We went to the concierge desk, showed our blue cards and room cards, and asked to pool-hop. The only place I've hopped is the POLY and everyone was very nice.

POFQ does have a fun pool. You can take a boat there from SSR.

 

[corinnak]

I'm not sure the answer to your question, but just wanted to say have a wonderful trip! I grew up in a small town called Corinna, and I think of it every time I see your posts! It was named after the founder's daughter, and I always thought it was such a beautiful name.

Thanks for the good wishes. That is so neat about your hometown - I had no idea I had the same name as a town!


Starbox, Thanks for the info. That's what we will do.

 

[tkd lisa]

I just went directly to the pool, went up to a lifeguard and showed my DVC card and said "We're here to pool hop". They usually pointed out the changing areas and the towel locations.

 

[mbhoxsie]

Generally, you want to call ahead to the resort to see if the pool is at capacity... (Try not to call the "virtual" front desk, as you may or may not reach the actual resort.)

We pool hop almost every trip.... If the pool doesn't look like it's full, then we generally jump right in... If it's iffy, or we see signs, then we will check with the lifeguards or front desk. I have noticed though that Disney does not do a very good job of informing its non DVC resort CM's of the pool hopping privelages... We usually have to explain ourselves a bit before we get the arbitrary "OK"...

Some other things to keep in mind...
1) There is no pool hopping to Stormalong Bay at BCV or the AKL pool..
2) There are blackout dates... Generally holidays or busy seasons.
3) You may sometimes want to pick a pool that has some activity to do beyond the pool... (IE.. Go to FW and hit the campfire after swimming, or hit a luao (sp?) at Poly, Olivia's at OKW, etc.. etc..)
4) While we love WLV (especially eating at Whispering Canyon), we generally try and avoid pool hopping there... There seems to be a big problem at WLV with stray visitors from FW hopping over and filling up the pool.

 

[dis-happy]

4) While we love WLV (especially eating at Whispering Canyon), we generally try and avoid pool hopping there... There seems to be a big problem at WLV with stray visitors from FW hopping over and filling up the pool.

They don't come just from FW....last time I stayed there I stood at the boat dock with a group of soaking wet people headed back to the Contemporary. Grrrr.

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Thanks for asking the questions I wasoundering the same thing on how to do this. We will be there in July and would like to do it.
ALso, thanks for taking the lap top to post pictures.

Most important have fun and ejoy your trip? Is this your first time going hom. For us it will be.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...POFQ does have a fun pool. You can take a boat there from SSR.

I thought the boat from SSR only went to OKW and DTD. You'd have to get to DTD (boat, bus or walk) and then boat from there to POFQ.

 

[starbox]

I thought the boat from SSR only went to OKW and DTD. You'd have to get to DTD (boat, bus or walk) and then boat from there to POFQ.

Yes. You do have to switch boats at DTD to get there via. boat - but it is possible. I actually like the boat ride between SSR/FTD/POR just for fun.

 

[dsneygirl]

We've only pool hopped twice as DVC members last Oct. It never occured to me to stop and tell anyone we were there. We went from MK over to the Poly for a break and one day went to SSR for a swim before dinner at DTD. If anyone (lifeguard etc) had asked we would have shown our card then.

 

[Dean]

Likely a little late for the OP but the official protocol is to make sure you are not in a banned time and then call ahead to the front desk of the destination resort to see if it's OK. Even then if the pool reaches "capacity" you may be denied access on arrival or asked to leave before you are ready to.

 

[dumbo71]

I've pool hoped from BCV to BWV (sounds crazy I know.), nice change of scenery. This is the only time we've pool hopped. We didn't notify anyone as we walked in and saw a lifeguard who knew us from SAB slide. She said "A little pool hopping today?" and we said yes and that it was a nice perk of DVC.

Happy hopping.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Is calling ahead "mandatory" or only "suggested?"

We've hopped to the contemporary -- so some could swim while others used the boats. those were in the days of the family boating plan when we racked up about $500 worth of boat usage in one week (for a $200 flat fee). I know I'm in the minority, but I like the contemporary pool better than the Poly pool. Go figure. It seems more open.

Anyway, we didn't call ahead. the pool was fairly empty -- I guess everyone was over at WL.

That's our only hop.

We swim where we are or go to TL or BB.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I know I'm in the minority, but I like the contemporary pool better than the Poly pool. Go figure. It seems more open....

We stayed at the CR two years ago and I loved both their pools. The one out by the lake was a nice deep pool. The "themed" pool was close to our room in the South Wing.

 

[Dean]

Is calling ahead "mandatory" or only "suggested?"

We've hopped to the contemporary -- so some could swim while others used the boats. those were in the days of the family boating plan when we racked up about $500 worth of boat usage in one week (for a $200 flat fee). I know I'm in the minority, but I like the contemporary pool better than the Poly pool. Go figure. It seems more open.

Anyway, we didn't call ahead. the pool was fairly empty -- I guess everyone was over at WL.

That's our only hop.

We swim where we are or go to TL or BB.

Technically it's required but mainly to keep you from traveling and then being denied access.

 

[Bexx]

Generally, you want to call ahead to the resort to see if the pool is at capacity... (Try not to call the "virtual" front desk, as you may or may not reach the actual resort.)

Silly question, but how do you make sure that you reach the real, and not the virtual, front desk of a resort?!

 

[IAMaGR8DISMOM]

Deb and Bill....

Do you recall about how deep the pool was out by the lake at CR?

Thanks

 

[conciergekelly]

IAMaGR8DISMOM....I was at the CR but I can't recall the depth. I am short (5 ft. )and I don't recall it being that deep.Had a GREAT time at CR though. Try it. you will love it.

 

[IAMaGR8DISMOM]

Conciergekelly:

Thanks for the quick reply!!

I'll give it a try.